Biography of Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex 1591-1646

In 1583 Philip Sidney [aged 28] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 16] were married. They were half sixth cousins.

In 1590 [his father] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex [aged 24] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess Essex. He the son of [his grandfather] Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and [his grandmother] Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 46]. They were half fourth cousin once removed.

On 11th January 1591 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex was born to [his father] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex [aged 25] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 24].

On 5th March 1599 [his brother-in-law] Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland [aged 22] and [his half-sister] Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland. Childless, unhappy and possibly not consummated. She the daughter of Philip Sidney and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 32]. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.

On 5th August 1599 Alexander Radclyffe of Ordsall Hall [aged 26] died of wounds and fever in Ulster while campaigning with the [his father] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex [aged 33] during the unsuccessful attempt to bring Ireland under English control. The Queen [aged 65] herself informed his twin sister of her brother's death.

In 1603 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 11] and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 12] were married. They were separated after the wedding given their young age. Essex went on a European tour from 1607 to 1609. When he returned she avoided him having fallen for Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset [aged 16] whilst her husband was away. He was ill with smallpox. She sought an annulment with her father Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and uncle Henry Howard 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 62] acting for her. She maintained the marriage had not been consummated and was examined by ten matrons and two midwives who found her hymen intact. It was widely rumoured at the time that Sir Thomas Monson's [aged 38] daughter was a substitute, which is possible because she had requested to be veiled during the examination "for modesty's sake". He maintained he was capable with other women, but was unable to consummate his marriage blaming her. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 41] and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 39]. He the son of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 36]. They were fourth cousins.

In 1603 [his step-father] Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 31] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 36] were married. He the son of Ulrick Burke 3rd Earl Clanricarde.

Around 1603 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 11] educated at Eton College [Map].

In 1604 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 12] was restored 3rd Earl Essex, 4th Viscount Hereford, 13th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, 10th Baron Bourchier although it isn't clear whether the latter three titles were forfeit when his father was executed in 1601. [his wife] Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 13] by marriage Countess Essex.

On 23rd December 1605 William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury [aged 61] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Baroness Knollys. The difference in their ages was 39 years. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 44] and [his mother-in-law] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 41]. They were third cousin once removed.

Around 1607 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 15] educated at Merton College, Oxford University.

On 1st December 1608 William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury [aged 17] and [his sister-in-law] Catherine Howard Countess Salisbury [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 47] and [his mother-in-law] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 44]. He the son of Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 45] and Elizabeth Brooke. They were fifth cousins.

After 24th March 1611 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 20] was appointed Privy Counciller.

In 1612 [his brother-in-law] Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 29] and Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk [aged 13] were married. She the daughter of George Home 1st Earl Dunbar and Elizabeth Gordon Countess Dunbar [aged 37]. He the son of [his father-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 50] and [his mother-in-law] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 48].

In 1612 [his half-sister] Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland [aged 27] died. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].

On 24th May 1612 Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 48] died at Marlborough, Wiltshire [Map]. His son William [aged 21] succeeded 2nd Earl Salisbury. [his sister-in-law] Catherine Howard Countess Salisbury [aged 22] by marriage Countess Salisbury.

On 25th September 1613 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 22] and Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 23] marriage annulled by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 47]. She married Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset [aged 26] three months later.

In 1614 [his former brother-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Berkshire [aged 26] and Elizabeth Cecil Countess Berkshire [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of William Cecil 2nd Earl Exeter [aged 48] and Elizabeth Drury Countess Exeter [aged 35]. He the son of [his former father-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 52] and [his former mother-in-law] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 50]. They were fourth cousins.

In 1616 William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury [aged 72] was created 1st Viscount Wallingford. [his former sister-in-law] Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury [aged 33] by marriage Viscountess Wallingford.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 12th May 1616. The 12th at night Grosvenort came hither and told me how my Lord [aged 27] had won £200 at the Cocking Match and that my Lord of Essex [aged 25] and Lord Willoughby who was on my Lord's side won a great deal and how there was some unkind words between my Lord and his side and Sir William Herbert and his side. This day my Lady Grantham sent me a letter about these businesses between my Uncle Cumberland and me and returned me an answer.

All this time my Lord was in London where he had all and infinite great resort coming to him. He went much abroad to Cocking, to Bowling Alleys, to Plays and Horse Races, and commended by all the world. I stayed in the country having many times a sorrowful and heavy heart, and being condemned by most folks because I would not consent to the agreements, so as I may truly say, I am like an owl in the desert.

On 3rd March 1617 [his brother-in-law] William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 29] and [his sister] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset [aged 17] were married at Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire [Map]. She the daughter of [his father] Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 50]. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 28th August 1617. The 28th Marsh came hither, he told me a rumour of my Brother Sackville's fighting and many other businesses of my Lord Essex [aged 26] and my Lord Paget.

In 1621 [his former brother-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Berkshire [aged 33] was created 1st Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 1st Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire. Elizabeth Cecil Countess Berkshire [aged 25] by marriage Baroness Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.

In 1622 [his half-brother] Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde [aged 18] and [his sister-in-law] Anne Compton Lady Rushout were married. She the daughter of William Compton 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Spencer Countess Northampton [aged 46]. He the son of [his step-father] Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 50] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 55].

In 1626 William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury [aged 82] was created 1st Earl Banbury. [his former sister-in-law] Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury [aged 43] by marriage Countess Banbury.

On 7th February 1626 [his former brother-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Berkshire [aged 38] was created 1st Earl Berkshire. Elizabeth Cecil Countess Berkshire [aged 30] by marriage Countess Berkshire.

On 28th May 1626 [his former father-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 64] died at Charing Cross [Map]. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son [his former brother-in-law] Theophilus [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Earl Suffolk. Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk [aged 27] by marriage Countess Suffolk.

In 1630 John Vaughan of Transgoed [aged 26] purchased for £4,300 eight granges of the dissolved monastery of Strata Florida from Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 38], who lent him £3,000 for the purpose. This substantial purchase apparently placed some strain on his finances, and resulted in litigation in Chancery. In 1631 Morgan Herbert of Cwmystwyth submitted a bill claiming that he and Vaughan's own father had agreed to lease part of the estate, only to find that it had been subsumed in the purchase. This case was settled out of court in 1632, when Herbert was granted the properties around Hafod in return for £300 and an annual rent.

On 11th March 1630 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 39] and Elizabeth Paulet Countess Essex were married. She by marriage Countess Essex. He the son of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 63]. They were fourth cousins.

On 25th May 1632 William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury [aged 88] died. His son Edward [aged 5] de jure 2nd Earl Banbury, 2nd Viscount Wallingford, 2nd Baron Knollys. Parliament disallowed the succession on the basis that Edward had been born when William was some eighty-two years old and Edward was, in fact, the son of Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden [aged 43] whom Edward's [his former sister-in-law] mother [aged 49] subsequently married around a month after William's death.

Around 30th June 1632 Edward Vaux 4th Baron Vaux Harrowden [aged 43] and [his former sister-in-law] Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury [aged 49] were married some five weeks after the death of her first husband William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury [deceased] on 25th May 1632. They, Edward and Elizabeth, when teenagers, had been subject to marriage negotiations which broke down as a consequence of the Gunpowder Plot and she had married William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury some thirty-nine years her senior. She the daughter of [his former father-in-law] Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk and [his former mother-in-law] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 68]. They were fifth cousin once removed.

On 23rd August 1632 [his former wife] Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 42] died.

On 17th February 1633 [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 66] died.

On 12th November 1635 [his step-father] Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 63] died. His son Ulick [aged 31] succeeded 5th Earl Clanricarde, 2nd Earl St Albans. Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 42] was blamed for his death making an enemy of Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde and his half-brother (they shared the same mother Frances Walsingham Countess Essex) Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 44].

In 1641 Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 56] struck Henry Howard 15th or 22nd Earl of Arundel 5th Earl of Surrey 2nd Earl Norfolk [aged 32] with a cane during a Meeting in the House of Lords. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] replaced him as Lord Chamberlain with Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 49].

On 17th June 1644 William Sydenham [aged 29] was appointed Governor of Weymouth by Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 53].

On 14th September 1646 Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 55] died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Earl Essex extinct. His half first cousin twice removed Walter [aged 71] succeeded 5th Viscount Hereford. Baron Ferrers of Chartley, Baron Bourchier abeyant.

Around 1647 Thomas Higgons [aged 23] and [his former wife] Elizabeth Paulet Countess Essex were married.

In 1656 [his former wife] Elizabeth Paulet Countess Essex died.

John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1656. Hence to Ipswich, Suffolk [Map], doubtless one of the sweetest, most pleasant, well-built towns in England. It has twelve fair churches, many noble houses, especially the Lord Devereux's; a brave quay, and commodious harbor, being about seven miles from the main; an ample market place. Here was born the great Cardinal Wolsey, who began a palace here, which was not finished.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 24th January 1669. By and by the King [aged 38] comes out, and so I took coach, and followed his coaches to my Lord Keeper's, at Essex House, where I never was before, since I saw my old Lord Essex lie in state when he was dead; a large, but ugly house. Here all the Officers of the Navy attended, and by and by were called in to the King and Cabinet, where my Lord, who was ill, did lie upon the bed, as my old Lord Treasurer, or Chancellor [aged 59], heretofore used to; and the business was to know in what time all the King's ships might be repaired, fit for service. The Surveyor answered, in two years, and not sooner. I did give them hopes that, with supplies of money suitable, we might have them all fit for sea some part of the summer after this. Then they demanded in what time we could set out forty ships. It was answered, as they might be chosen of the newest and most ready, we could, with money, get forty ready against May. The King seemed mighty full that we should have money to do all that we desired, and satisfied that, without it, nothing could be done: and so, without determining any thing, we were dismissed; and I doubt all will end in some little fleete this year, and those of hired merchant-men, which would indeed be cheaper to the King, and have many conveniences attending it, more than to fit out the King's own; and this, I perceive, is designed, springing from Sir W. Coventry's [aged 41] counsel; and the King and most of the Lords, I perceive, full of it, to get the King's fleete all at once in condition for service.

State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason. After he had received the said Commission he commanded an O Yes to be made, by one of the Serjeants at Arms, for a general silence: and then delivered the said Commission to sir Thomas Fenshaw, Clerk of the Crown, to be openly read. Which being done, Mr. Maxwell kneeled down and presented his lordship with a white staff verge of state, which he gave to one of the Serjeants at Arms, who held the same up by the cloth of state on the right hand thereof. And after the Commission was read, and the staff received as aforesaid, his grace commanded a solemn O Yes to be made; and then gave leave to all the lords, the peers, and the judges, and to all privy counsellors there present, to be covered; and command was given, that none under that degree should keep on their hats upon pain of imprisonment. And then the peers were severally called by thieir names, and each of them answered particularly, viz. 1. Lord Weston, Lord High Treasurer of England; 2. Earl of Manchester, Lord Privy Seal; 3, Eari of Arundel and Surrey, Earl Marshal; 4. Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery Lord Chamberlain; 5. Earl of Kent; 6. Earl of Worcester; 7. Earl of Bedford; 8. Earl of Essex; 9. Earl of Dorset; 10. Earl of Salisbury; 11. Earl of Leicester; 12. Earl of Warwick; 18. Earl of Cariisle; 14. Earl of Holland; 15. Earl of Berks; 16. Earl of Denbigh;. 17. Viscount Wimbledon; 18. Visc. Conway; 19. Visc. Dorchester; 20. Visc. Wentworth; 21. Lord Percy; 22. Lord Strange; 23. Lord Clifford; 24. Lord Petre; 25. Lord North; 26. Lord Goring; 27. Lord Howard.